2 Answers
2

No, unfortunately there is no global setting for this. If you press ⌘+J in any folder window it opens a dialog where you can set the default view and the sort parameter but this only applies to this folder or any child folder you open directly from this folder. You could also run an Automator script to apply view styles to subfolders of specific folders on your Mac

Thanks for the tip, and the linked article was helpful. Who knows we may get a two windowed finder, snap to screen sides ala Windows 7, and some more customization options in OSX Lion! (Or maybe not...)
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Jonathan BourkeFeb 7 '11 at 1:56

Haha, yeah unlikely. Apple wouldn't want to be accused of following in Microsofts footsteps now would they?
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conorgriffinFeb 7 '11 at 9:17

Right-click on the background of the folder and choose "Show View Options". Set it up how you like and click on "Use as Defaults". "Show View Options" is also in the View menu in the top menubar or even available via "Command + J" on your keyboard.

"Use as Defaults" only applies the options in the bottom section of the View Options windows. The "Arrange by" and "Sort by" options are not applied globally, only to the current folder and maybe child folders, I'm uncertain about the child folders.
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BillFeb 3 '14 at 19:52